Game | Climb to See Jesus: Older-Age Challenge
Lesson Topic: Zacchaeus, Encouragement, Kindness, Christian Influence, and Using Our Words Wisely
Main Point: Our words and actions can either encourage others to draw closer to Jesus or discourage them from seeking Him. God wants us to be people who welcome others, speak kindly, and help them grow in their relationship with Him.
Scripture: Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Additional Scripture: Luke 19:1–10
Game Overview
Help children understand the power of encouragement with this interactive game inspired by the story of Zacchaeus climbing the sycamore tree!
In this activity, players attempt to climb a five-level tree by meeting other children who have been secretly assigned one of two roles: True Disciple or Murmurer. Meeting a True Disciple helps the player move higher up the tree, while meeting a Murmurer causes the player to move down.
The game illustrates how the attitudes and words of people around us can influence our spiritual lives. Just as the crowd surrounding Jesus complained when He chose to visit Zacchaeus, people sometimes use words that discourage others instead of helping them.
Children will learn that they have an opportunity to be encouragers who help others draw closer to Jesus rather than allowing criticism, gossip, or unkindness to push people away.
Supplies Needed
- Large tree-climbing game board or floor chart with five levels
- Player markers or small paper figures of Zacchaeus
- Role cards labeled “True Disciple” and “Murmurer”
- Tape or adhesive putty
- Bible
- Optional: Small prize for completing the climb
Preparation
Before class, create a large tree chart with five clearly marked levels. You can draw a sycamore tree on poster board, use a printed tree picture, or create a simple vertical chart with five numbered spaces.
Label the bottom of the chart “Start” and the top “Reach Jesus!” Place the five levels between these points so players can easily see their progress.
Prepare enough role cards for the children who will participate. Most of the cards should say “True Disciple,” while a smaller number should say “Murmurer.” For example, if you have twelve children holding role cards, you might prepare nine True Disciple cards and three Murmurer cards.
The True Disciple cards represent people who encourage others, while the Murmurer cards represent discouraging words or attitudes.
Prepare two to four player markers, depending on how many children you want climbing the tree at the same time.
Teacher Tip: The roles are temporary parts of the game, not descriptions of the children themselves. Make sure everyone understands that receiving a Murmurer card doesn’t mean that child is actually unkind or spiritually inferior. Reshuffle the roles between rounds so children experience different parts of the game.
How to Play the Game
Step 1: Introduce the Story of Zacchaeus
Begin by briefly reviewing the story of Zacchaeus from Luke 19:1–10.
Explain that Zacchaeus was a wealthy chief tax collector who lived in Jericho. One day, he heard that Jesus was passing through town and wanted to see Him.
Unfortunately, Zacchaeus was short, and the crowd was so large that he couldn’t see over the people standing in front of him.
Ask: “What did Zacchaeus do when he couldn’t see Jesus?”
Allow the children to answer that he climbed a sycamore tree.
Explain that Jesus stopped beneath the tree, called Zacchaeus by name, and told him to come down because He was going to stay at his house.
Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus joyfully, but not everyone was happy about it. Some of the people began complaining because Jesus had chosen to visit a man they considered a sinner.
Say: “Imagine how Zacchaeus might have felt when he heard people complaining about Jesus coming to his house. Instead of being happy that Zacchaeus was spending time with Jesus, they were criticizing him!”
Explain that our words can have a powerful effect on others. We can use them to encourage people or make them feel unwanted.
Read Ephesians 4:29: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Explain that the word “edifying” means building up or strengthening someone. God wants us to use our words to help others rather than tear them down.
Step 2: Explain the Climbing Challenge
Show the children the tree chart and explain that today’s game is called “Climb the Tree!”
Choose two to four volunteers to be the climbers. Place their markers at the starting position at the bottom of the tree.
Give the remaining children secret role cards labeled either “True Disciple” or “Murmurer.”
Explain that the climbers will move around the room greeting other children. After each greeting, the child holding the role card will quietly show it to the teacher.
The teacher will then move the climber’s marker according to the card.
True Disciple: Move up one level on the tree.
Murmurer: Move down one level on the tree.
If a player is already at the starting position, a Murmurer card does not move them any lower.
The first player to reach the top of the tree wins the round.
Say: “Your goal is to climb all the way to the top of the tree! But be careful! Some people will help you climb higher, while others will send you back down!”
Explain that players cannot greet the same person more than once during a round.
Step 3: Begin the Game
Have the climbers begin moving around the room, greeting children who are holding role cards.
They can shake hands, wave, or simply say hello.
After each greeting, the role-card holder quietly reveals the card to the teacher, who adjusts the player’s marker on the chart.
If the card says “True Disciple,” move the marker up one level.
If the card says “Murmurer,” move the marker down one level.
Encourage the children to cheer as the climbers move toward the top.
For added excitement, announce the results dramatically.
Say: “You’ve met a True Disciple! That’s someone who encourages you to keep following Jesus. Move UP one level!”
Or say: “Oh no! You’ve encountered a Murmurer! Those discouraging words have slowed you down. Move DOWN one level!”
Continue until one player’s marker reaches the top of the tree.
Celebrate the winner, then reshuffle the role cards and select new climbers for another round.
Teacher Tip: If you have a large class, consider running several short rounds rather than one long game. This allows more children to participate as climbers and keeps the activity moving.
Bible Connection: Are You Helping or Hurting?
After the game, gather the children and point to the tree chart.
Ask: “What happened when a climber met someone with a True Disciple card?”
Allow the children to explain that the player moved higher.
Ask: “What happened when a climber met someone with a Murmurer card?”
Explain that the game illustrates how our words and attitudes can influence the people around us.
When we encourage someone, invite them to church, pray with them, or help them understand God’s Word, we are doing something that can strengthen their faith.
But when we gossip, criticize, make fun of others, or deliberately exclude someone, our words can discourage them.
Remind the children that the people in the crowd criticized Zacchaeus because Jesus chose to visit his house. They were focused on Zacchaeus’s reputation rather than rejoicing that he was receiving an opportunity to respond to Jesus.
Jesus, however, treated Zacchaeus differently. He noticed him, called him by name, and welcomed him.
Explain that we should follow the example of Jesus by showing kindness and helping people feel welcome.
Important Teaching Point: The tree chart is only a game illustration. Nobody’s actual relationship with God is measured by a marker on a board, and another person’s unkind words cannot determine our salvation. The activity simply demonstrates how encouragement and discouragement can affect people.
Bringing the Lesson Home
Explain that every child has opportunities to be an encourager.
Sometimes it only takes a few kind words to make someone feel welcome or help them through a difficult day.
Give the children a few examples.
At Sunday School: A new child arrives and doesn’t know anyone. Instead of ignoring them, we can introduce ourselves and invite them to sit with us.
At School: A classmate is struggling with an assignment. Instead of laughing or making fun of them, we can offer encouragement or help.
At Church: Someone makes a mistake while participating in an activity. Instead of criticizing them, we can tell them they did a good job trying.
With Friends: Someone is feeling discouraged. We can listen, pray for them, and remind them that God loves them.
Ask the children to practice saying something encouraging to another person.
They might say, “I’m glad you’re here!” or “Would you like to sit with me?” or “You did a great job!” or “Can I help you?”
Explain that we don’t have to be preachers or Sunday School teachers to help someone draw closer to Jesus. Even simple acts of kindness can make a difference.
Point to the top of the tree chart one final time.
Say: “Zacchaeus climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus. But when Jesus noticed him, He didn’t criticize him or push him away. He called him by name and welcomed him. Let’s be the kind of people who help others feel welcome and encourage them to follow Jesus!”
Remind the children that winning the game isn’t nearly as important as learning to use their words to build others up.
Be an encourager! Use your words to help others draw closer to Jesus.
